Half-square Triangles (Shoo Fly Block)

 

 

 Shoo Fly

The Shoo Fly block is based on a nine-patch block but the corner squares are made of two triangles.

Collect

• Two contrasting fabrics. If you would like to use a feature block in the centre then you will need three fabrics.

Cut

• One 4½” square of main fabric (or feature fabric) for the centre.

• Four 4½” squares of contrasting background fabric.

• Two 5” squares of main fabric.

• Two 5” squares of background fabric.

Construct

• Use half-square triangle method to make the four corner blocks using the 5” squares. 

• Open, press and trim these to make four 4.5” squares. When trimming, line up the 45degree line of your ruler on the diagonal line of each block to ensure they are cut square.

• Align the nine squares to make the Shoo Fly arrangement as shown opposite.

• Sew each row together.

• Sew rows together to make the finished block.

 

Variations

By creating more complex patches for the nine patch Shoo Fly block other traditional blocks can be produced like Churn Dash and Wrench. A wide range of other block can be produced by changing the arrangement of contrasting colours and subdividing each square. The block shown below is called Summer Winds.

 

Notes and Tips

An important tip for measuring seam allowances for triangles is that if it is a half-square triangle (i.e. half a square) then the original square it is cut from should be 3/8” larger than the square you need plus your normal seam allowance. It is even more accurate if you make the original square ½” larger then trim the final square to the required size by lining up the ruler with the diagonal line on the square.

 

If the triangles are half-rectangle triangles you will need to add more than 3/8” to the longer side of the rectangle. It is probably 3/8” each multiple of the base of the triangle. So if your rectangle is 3 times as high as it is wide then you need to allow another 3 times 3/8” to the height of the triangle plus your normal seam allowances.

 

Helpful Resources

Help with half square triangles can be found at http://quilting.about.com/od/quickpiecingtechniques/ss/halfsquaretria.htm 

 

There is also a Missouri Star Quilt Co video for half square triangles at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agS8dPVYHsA 

 

The shoofly block, as with so many quilt blocks, has a history. It is said that this symbol was used to denote a sympathiser when slaves were escaping to the north. If the shoofly was displayed, then that was a safe house. (Source: http://www.ludlowquiltandsew.co.uk/Quilt_Block_Shoofly.html )

 

Named after a wild plant called shoo-fly, this 9-patch block became popular in the late 1800s.

 

Nicandra physalodes, from the nightshade family, has large lobed leaves, and large blue flowers with rounded petals. The juices from the foliage and roots were mixed with milk in a dish, which was then set out to attract flies. When the flies fed from this concoction, they died, thus the origin of the common name, Shoofly Plant.

 

Made of half-square triangles at the four corners of the block instead of squares, the Shoo-Fly block is a simple quilt block that was often used to teach young girls the basics of quilt design and construction. 

 

Because of its simplicity and opportunities for creativity and color play, the Shoo-Fly block is a popular block with beginning quilters. 

 

Another variation of the origin of the name "shoo-fly" is the sweet, rich Amish dessert known as shoo-fly pie, a gooey molasses bottom topped with spicy cake in a flaky pie crust that is said to have attracted flies while it baked.

 

A quilter may decide to use up small scraps of fabric in the blocks, making a "scrappy" quilt or create a stunning overall 2-color scheme.

To show off the geometry of the design, the blocks were typically joined together with sashing (lattice) strips with a cornerstone square of a different color at the point where the strips meet. (Source: http://www.quilting-in-america.com/shoo-fly.html )